Murder suicide in McMinn County

MCMINN COUNTY, Tennessee(WDEF) - McMinn County authorities make a gruesome discovery after receiving a disturbing 9-1-1 call.

It happened Tuesday night on County Road 754 in Riceville.

McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy is calling the case a murder suicide and a very unique one considering all the parties involved were senior citizens.

Guy said around 8 PM, emergency dispatchers received a very cryptic message.

"A male voice on the line gave an address and said murder suicide. He wouldn't give any other information and hung up. Our dispatchers called back and the gentleman answered the phone again and all he would say is murder suicide then hung up again," Guy said.

Minutes later deputies arrived on scene only to be greeted by a woman who had just got out of the shower. She told deputies she couldn't find her husband; 65-year old Kenneth Dickson. She also said her husband's aunt; 85-year old Helena Spect was sleeping in a back bedroom.

Deputies searched the property and made a chilling discovery.

"They found the aunt deceased due to asphyxiation and found the husband Mr. Dickson behind the residents dead from a gunshot wound to the chest," Guy said.

According to investigators, Dickson was his aunts primary caretaker and may have had a difficult relationship with her because she required a high level of care.

"Perhaps that caused him to act irrationally and take her life then go outside and take his own life. All of that happened while his wife was in the shower. She also found a note that he had written," Guy said.

A note that authorities say was more or less like a confession.

Authorities say Dickson's wife, Catherine Dickson was formally interviewed and no charges have been filed at this time.